Can’t Swing the Dyson Stick Vacuum? Try These Affordable, Highly-Rated Dupes Instead
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
If you’ve shopped for a vacuum recently, you probably know that one brand is leading the pack: Dyson. The British brand’s high-powered, ultra-mobile vacuums make cleaning days faster and easier — maybe even enjoyable.
More from Rolling Stone
The Best Places to Buy a Sofa Online - No Matter Your Taste (Or Budget)
Sweat No More: The Most Comfortable Sheets to Get You Through the Hottest Summer Nights
Wimbledon Livestream: How to Watch Tennis Tournament Online Free
Among Dyson’s best products are its cordless stick vacuums. These lightweight devices can squeeze into tight spaces, be wielded with one hand and don’t require a plug-in. What’s more, Dyson cordless stick vacuums now match the power of plug-in vacuums with multi-floor versatility and strong suction.
Related: The Best Dyson Deals to Find Online
One of Dyson’s best-selling cordless stick vacuums is the V15 Detect. It effortlessly sucks up everything from dust to sand to pet hair thanks to a Hyperdymium motor and the brand’s patented cyclone technology. Weighing just seven pounds, the V15 Detect is also very easy to use, and the battery lasts up to an hour (no charging breaks while cleaning).
Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The powerful vacuum has also solved the issues of missed dirty spots with a “Laser Slim Fluffy” floorhead. This namesake attachment shines a green light on hard floors, illuminating dust so you know where to vacuum. As the vacuum absorbs, it also measures the dust and automatically adjusts as necessary. You’ll be able to see this metric on an LCD screen by the handle, which also displays the remaining battery life.
The only downside with the V15 Detect is its price tag: at $750 (without any markdowns), you will need to shell out for its excellence. But, if that cost isn’t feasible, there’s still hope. We’ve found some of the best Dyson alternatives, starting at less than $200 (as of writing), that you can order on Amazon right now.
What Are the Best Dyson Alternatives?
Editor’s Pick: Kenmore CSV Max Cordless Stick Vacuum
Most Versatile: Eureka Stylus
Great for Pet Hair: Shark IZ363HT Anti-Allergen Pet Power
Multi-Surface Pick: Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme
Deep Cleaner: Samsung Jet 90
1. Kenmore CSV Max Cordless Stick Vacuum
With this CSV, Kenmore leaned into the features that make cordless stick vacuums so great. The design is sleek and nimble at under six pounds with a flexible want to reach under furniture. Suction comes from a capable 250-watt brushless motor that can run for up to 40 minutes (remaining battery is shown on an LED display). You also get a large one-liter dust cup which means fewer trips to the trashcan. Overall, it’s a powerful, easy-to-use device — and it costs less than $200 on Amazon.
Kenmore CSV Max Stick Vacuum
2. Eureka Stylus
This Eureka Stylus has a lot going for it, but mobility is probably its best asset. The neck is flexible, the wheels are beefy and smooth, and the dustbin is located on the front so the whole thing can lay flat. All these design features, plus a weight of just 6.4 pounds, combine for easy cleaning in hard-to-reach areas.
Fantastic mobility aside, the Stylus is still a great vacuum. A 350-watt motor gives it enough power for any mess — whether on hardwood, carpet or tile — and finger-tip controls let you easily cycle between suction modes. Battery life is solid too with a 45-minute run time on regular mode. If you need to clean furniture, cars or thick carpets, the vacuum also comes with a crevice tool and a 2-in-1 dusting brush for various jobs.
Eureka Stylus Stick Vacuum
3. Shark IZ363HT Anti-Allergen Pet Power Vacuum
Pet hair poses one of the toughest cleaning challenges, which is why Shark developed this IZ363HT Anti-Allergen Pet Power Vacuum. It’s geared toward pet hair with a self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair wrap and an attachable pet multi-tool floorhead. The vacuum also uses Shark’s PowerFins, instead of traditional bristles, which dig deep into carpets to pull out debris.
In terms of design, the Shark does quite well. It’s streamlined, easy to maneuver, and weighs just over seven pounds. The main pipe can be removed for handheld action, and five different floorheads (including the pet hair attachment) lend enough options for most jobs. A HEPA filter, meantime, works to trap things like dust, allergens, and dander for undisturbed air after vacuuming.
Shark IZ363HT Stick Vacuum
4. Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme
A great cordless stick vacuum really doesn’t need to break the bank, as proven by this Black+Decker Powerseries. The vacuum’s suction can be switched between three speeds, and two interchangeable floorheads allow for multi-surface cleanup. One floorhead has an anti-tangle brush bar with rubber bristles for cleaning pet hair, and the other has v-shaped bristles to dislodge crumbs and other debris.
One of our favorite features with the Black+Decker is its 20V MAX battery — the same battery you’ll find in most Black+Decker power tools. This means the battery is easy to charge with equipment you might already have, and you can even swap out batteries (say, the one from your drill) if the vacuum dies mid-cleanup. That isn’t likely to happen, however, as the battery lasts an impressive 55 minutes on low settings.
Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme
5. Samsung Jet 90
Boasting 200 watts of suction in a compact, 6.2-pound build, this Samsung Jet 90 brings power and convenience in equal measure. It’s able to absorb all kinds of debris from different surfaces, and can easily transition between carpet and hard floors without a hitch. For deep cleaning, the Jet 90 comes with four different floorheads designed to tackle different surfaces and angles. The vacuum’s telescoping pipe allows for further adjustment and comfort, and the whole pipe can be removed for cleaning furniture and cars.
Among the Jet 90’s other attractive qualities are a large 0.8-liter dustbin, an effective five-stage particle filter and a long battery life of up to 60 minutes. When it’s time to recharge, place the vacuum in an included free-standing charging dock. This dock can charge two batteries at once, although you’ll need to buy the second battery separately.
Samsung Jet 90
Vacuum Buying Guide
Before upgrading to a new Dyson dupe, here are a few key features to check while shopping for the best Dyson alternatives online.
Power: Some vacuums simply do the job better. The best Dyson alternative stick vacuums can suck up almost anything with one pass, whether you’re dealing with sand, hair or dirt, no matter the flooring. Wattage can give an idea of power, but good engineering often trumps wattage numbers.
Battery: Longer battery life is always better — especially if you’re cleaning a big home. Be sure to check how long a vacuum’s battery lasts, as well as how long it takes to charge. But also be aware that listed battery life typically means battery life on the lowest setting — real battery life is as much as half that number.
Ease-of-Use: Maneuverability, lightness and overall ease-of-use are why we love these Dyson vacuum alternatives. When comparing models, note the vacuums’ weight, as well as its flexibility for getting in tight spots, and its adjustability (i.e. length adjustment, different floorheads, etc.).
Best of Rolling Stone
